Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative

The Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) was designed to support the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s vision that all youth involved in the juvenile justice system have opportunities to develop into healthy, productive adults.

JDAI’s purpose is to demonstrate that jurisdictions can safely reduce reliance on secure detention, while reducing re-arrest and failure to appear rates for pending adjudications.

JDAI focuses on the “front end” of the juvenile detention component of the juvenile justice system because youth are often unnecessarily or inappropriately detained at great expense, with long-lasting negative consequences for both public safety and youth development.

JDAI promotes changes to policies, practices, and programs to:

• Reduce reliance on secure confinement
• Improve public safety
• Reduce racial disparities and bias
• Save taxpayers’ dollars
• Stimulate overall juvenile justice reforms

Orleans Parish Juvenile Court (OPJC) is one of five JDAI sites located in Louisiana.  JDAI provides several benefits to the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court (OPJC) and the families and children of Orleans Parish. The OPJC has seen a reduction in the number of youth being detained for status offenses and low level misdemeanors. The JDAI Collaborative has seen an increase in participation from community and community leaders & resources. The OPJC is utilizing JDAI data to drive juvenile court policy and reduce inappropriate detentions.

For more information or assistance please call (504)-658-9553